Gas trap



NOV. 24, 1931. L 1 CARTER 1,833,390

GAS TRAP Fled May 21, 1927 2 Sheets-SheaTl l 5 ATTORMY Nov. 24, 1931. L, CARTER ,Y 1,833,390

GAS TRAP Filed May 21, 1927 2 Sheets-SheaTA 2.4

, @5 l 54 55 @Z e7 1 e4 J//T/,E/TOR: 5575/? L. CARTER A TToR/vzyr Patented Nev.l 24, 1931 t UNITED STATES ArtNr FFICE aEsTEB. L. cABTEB, or SAN raANcIsco, CALIFORNIA, ssIGNoafBY-"MESNE ASSIGN- m'rs, To SHELL nEvmoPImN'r or sAN FRANCISCO, cALIroItNIA, A

GOBPOBATION' 0F DELAWARE pplication led May 21,

. the oil, pipilrrg it to a gasoline recovery plant,

Y streams of lubricating a storage ta or -aplace of use. The oil as it comes from'the well, sometimes contains sand which lodges in tlfe gas-trap, soon partly filling it and considerably interfering with its operation. l

Tt is an object of* this invention to'provide a gas-trap in which the sand may be periodically removed therefrom. Another object of this invention is tov provide a gas-trap in which the internal parts may be washed in order 5to' remove sand therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gas-trap in which the body of solid particles collected in the lower'partthereof is caused 'to move through the dum-ping outlet thereof by lubricating the walls which the body of solid .particles enga es. This manner of removing the bod ofV solid particles does not cause agitation o the body, and does not cause it to mix Vwith the liquid.

This .object l accom lish by directing lluid along thel surfaces of the walls supporting the body of solid particles. lThis results in the body sliding downward through the dumping outlet.

A still further object of this-invention is to provide a gas-trap in which the amount of sand collected therein may be readily ascertained so that the operator 'may know when it is a proper time to remove the sand therefrom.

y Otherl objects and advantages of the in.v vention will be made evident in the following description. l t v My invention may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which t' Fig. l is a vertical section through a gastrap. Fig. 2 is a cross section taken as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 1".

`@As Tm f 1927. 'sei-iai No. Isaiva.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View partly in* section taken as indicated by the line 3+3 of A I Fig. 1, `showing a means for ascertaining the amount ofsand which4 has collected in the gas-trap.`

Fig. 4 isiany enlarged section of the indicatingmeans, this View being taken as indic-at'ed by the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. `5 is'a cross section taken onthe line 5 5 of Fig.- 4. Y

Fig. 6 .is an enlarged fragmentary view partly sectioned showing the means for removing the sand from gas-trap.

F ig. 7 is a View taken as indicated by the line-7 7 of Fig. e.

The form of the invention illustrated in the drawings has a shell 1l provided with a conical/bottom 13 and a dished top 14, these. parts cooperating to'provide a separating chamber 15. Supported inl the separating chamber 15 near the upper endl thereof is a spreader'in the form of acone 17. The cone 17 is supported by brackets 18 which connect to the shell 11. An oil-gas inlet 20 is connected to the separating chamber 15 through the top- 14; .The `oil-gas inlet 20 is adapted` td deliver an oil-gas mixture onto aV point 21 of the cone 17 so that the oil-gas mixture will be spread, thus exposing a large surface so that the gas may easily free itself from the l Oil.' Y,

whi has separated from the oil. vThe inner end of this gas outlet`23 is disposed inside the cone 17 A safety valve 24 isprovided in the gas outlet l23 outsidefthe shell 11 so that a V'pressure above the safe working pressure may not be' produced in the separating chamber ing gom the separating chamber 15 the gas the lower end of the 15,. Near theV lower end of the separating'- chamber 15 is an oil outlet v26. The'oil outlet 26 extendsV through the wall of the shell 11 and is provided with aV control valve 27. The control valve 27 has an .operating arm 28'to which a rod 29 is connected. The rod29 eX- tends upward from the operating arm v28 and is connected to an arm 30 of a cont-rol mechaspray-ring 40 is a clean-liquid line 42 which and an' arm 33 inside the shell 11 which arm 33. supports a float 34. The purpose of the control mechanism is to maintain the oil in the separating chamber 15 substantially-at a level indicated by the dotted line 35 of Fig. 1. The separating chamber 15 is provided with a sand outlet 37 which is connected to the lower part of the conical bottom 13.

A's previously pointed out, the oil-gas mixture which is taken from the well very often carries articles of sand. Some of these particles o sand collect on the cone 17 and others accumulate in a body at the lower part of the separating chamber 15 as indicated by th dotted 'line 38 of Fig. 1.

My invention provides a means for washing the sand from the cone 17 this means being illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Rlaced in the upper part of the separating chamber 15, concentric with the inner end of the oil-gas inlet 20 at the apex of the cone 17 is a sandflushing ring or spray-ringv 40, having down-` directed `openings 41. Connected to the extends through the side of the shell 11 as illustrated in the drawings. This clean-liquid line 42 is connected b means of a -itting 43 to a'main line 44, an it has a shut-oil' valve l45 vwhich controls the iow of liquid therethrough. When it is desired to wash the surface of the cone 17, the valve 45 is opened and liquid under pressure is supplied to the sprayring 40. This liquid is directed downward by the openings 42 onto the cone 17 so that any sand particles located thereon are washed away, falling with the liquid to the bottom of f the separating chamber 15. Although vari,-

ous liquids may be used lfor flushing the cone 17, I prefer to luse a-clean oil such as one which has already beenpassed through the gas-trap.

My invention also provides a means for removing the body ofl sand 38 from the lower end of the separating chamber 15, this means being illustrated in Figs. 1, 6 and 7. As a `matter of information', when a body of sand forms in the lower part of a separating chamber of a gas-trap, it acks so tight that the mere opening of a va ve will not be suflicient to remove ythe sand from the as-trap. My invention provides a means w ich will now be described land which is located in the sand n outlet 37 of the gas-trap. Referring particullas larly to Figs. 1, 6, and 7, the numeral 50 represents an agitating nozzle which is provided with a central passage 51. Placed ,belowv the agitating nozzle50 is a gate-valve 52 which is closed at all times except when it is desired to remove the sand from the gas-trap. Connected to the lower part of the gate-valve 52 is a T-fitting 53, whlch is connected to a sand draw-off pipe 54. Adverting to the agitating nozzle 50 it has an annular chamber 56 which surrounds the central passage 51, being separated therefrom by a wall. Connected to tended that the `vention is illustrated best in the chamber 56 andalso to the central lpassage 51 is a plurality of jets 57. As ilustrated best in Figs. 6 and 7, these jets 57 are pointed upward and also substantially tangential with respect to the diameter of the central passage 51. These jets 57 are so exwill direct streams of fluid upward throug body of sand 38 in the-lower part of the separating chamber 15. As indicated in Fig. 6, the streams of lubricating fluid are directed upward and somewhat tangentially along the' 4surface of the cone 13 which is engaged.l by

the body of sand. There is agitation in the mouth of the sand outlet 37, which causes this extreme lower portion of the body of sand 38 to pass into the sand outlet. The streams passing along the surface of the cone 13 provide a lubrication so that the entire body of sand 38 will drop downward and pass through the sand outlet 38. The streamsdo' not emerge from the upper surface of the lbody of sand. As soon as the body of sand starts to flow, the valve 6() is closed so that the streams of lubricating fluid are shut ofi'. I t is only necessary to provide lubrication to start the body of sand flowing through the sand outlet 37. Fluid under pressure 1s supplied to the chamber 56 by means of a pipe 59 f avin a shut-off valve 60 and being connecte to the main line 44 b the fitting 43.

I have specified the medium or agitating the sand as a fluid. This has been done purposely the said outlet 37 into the because the agitating medium may be in the form of a gas lor in the lform of a liquid. However, I prefer to use a liquid'since a liquid will serve as a good carrler to carry the sand through the central passage, 51 after it has been loosened b agitation. To assist in removin the sand tlirough the sand draw-off pipe 54, provide a wash nozzle 62v which exios tends into the T-fittin 53 and is us'ed in the -k flushing of the sandv raw-off pipe 54. The

washf nozzle 62 has a shut-off valve y64and is connected toa water spray jtpipe 65 and a vertical pipe66 by means of a tting 67 The.

vertical pipe 66 has a shut-off valve 68 and is'.v

connected to the fitting 43. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit either the liquid supplied by the main l1ne44 or a separate liquid spray through the pipe 65 to be used for flushing the sand lthrough the sand vdraw-,off piple 54. c c

his invention also, as vpreviously mentioned, provides a means for ascertaining the lamount of sand which has collected in the separating chamber 15. This art of the in...

i 3 to 5in- 'clusive Attached to the side o the shell 11 near the lower end thereof is an housing 70 which rotatably supports a shaft- 71, this shaft 71 extendlng tothe exterior through a,

'pain of stufiing boxes 72. Connected to the shaft 71 inside the housing 70 is an arm l74 I having a spherical enlargement 75v located at the swinging end thereof. lThis arm 7 4 extends almost entirely-across the separating chamber 15. Connected to the extendingv ends of the shaft 71 is a yoke 77 which carries a balance 'weight 78 whose function is to counter-balance the Weight of the arm 74. Attached to one end of the shaft 71 on the exterior of the housing 70 is an operating lever 79 by means of whlch the arm 7 4 may be swung from full line position in Fig. 3 into a posltion indicated by dotted lines 80. Supported adjacent to the lever 79 is a graduation-plate 81 having graduations 82. rlhe purpose of this arrangement is to indicate to the operator the position of the 'enlargement 75 inthe separating chamber 15. When it.-

isv desired to know how much of a body of sand has collected in the separating chamber l5, the operator Vmanually engages the operating lever 79 which vis in the position shown` in full lines in Fig. 3, and moves it upward and outward until he can move it no farther.

The movement of the operating lever 79 is arrested by yengagement of the enlargement 7 5 with the surface of the body of sand 38;

Broken line 83 represents the position ofthe' apparent that the gas-trap o this invention is designed so that all sand may be readily removed from the separating chamber with.

out a great dealoftrouble and without a material yloss of time.A The feature of flushing the cone 17 is important inasmuch asit removes an encumbrances from the surface of the cone. The means for removing the body of sand from the lower part of the separating chamber 15 is important to the invention because it eihciently removes the body of sand in a very short time. Not 'only does the means serve'to loosen the body of sand in the separating chamber 15,but it also serves` 'to carry it away. The feature of lubricating the surface which supports the"body of sand in order to cause it to pass downward throughv the sand outlet, is. extremely important to.' the invention. The decidedadvantage resulting from this feature isv that the body of sand is not agitated on'fits sur` face; therefore the sand will not bemixed with the oil. This precludes all possibility of the sand remixing with the oil and being carried through lthe oiloutlet 26. l :The means for determining the level of the sand in the separating space is important inasmuch as it -will drop through said so provides a way of ascertaining when the sand removing means should be utilized.` With- Y out this the operator wouldhave to rely on guesswork which obviously is unsatisfactory.

It will be understood, of course that I have shown only a preferred form of the inven- 'tion and that various modifications andalterations may be made on the design shown `without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. i

I claim as my invention: l. In a device of the character described, the' combination of: a shell .providing a separating chamber, said shell having an inclined bottom-wall; means for introducing a liquid carrying solid particles, said solid particles dropping to the bottom of said separating chamber; a liquid outlet for said separat-pV ing chamber; a solid-particle outlet at the bottom of said separating chamber; andv means for directing streams of uid tangentially inwardly into the space enclosed by said inclined wall and said solid-particle outlet so that any particles collecting at the bottom of said lseparating chamber will drop through said solid particle outlet.

2. In a device of the'character describedf' I vthe combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber, said shell-having an inclined bottom-wall; means for introducing a liquid carrying solid particles, said solid particles dropping to the bottom of said separating chamber; a liquid outlet for 'said separating chamber; a solid-particle outlet at the bottompof said separating chamber; andjmeans inclined bottomfor lubricating saidinclined bottom-wall so that any `partlcles collecting at the bottom of said separating lchamber will drop throu h said solid-particle outlet.'

3. In a evice of the character described, the combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber, said Ashellrhaving, an in-Y clined-'bottom-'wal1; means for introducing a liquid carrying solid particles'dropping to the. ottom of said sepav for directing tangentlal vstreamsV along said .11o articles, said solid rating chamber; a liquid outlet for said sepa- 'i rating chamber; a solid-particle outlet'at the bottom of lsaid separating chamber; and

means located'in said solid-particle outlet for.'

directing tangential streams along said inclined bottomffor lubricating said inclined bottom-wall so that anyl particles collecting at the bottomfof osaid separating chamberA "d-particle outlet. 4.-. In a 'device ofthe character' described,

the combination of.: a shell providing a separating chamber, said shell having an in-v clined vbottom-wall; -means `for introducing a liquid carrying solid particles, said solid particles dropping to the bottom of saidseparating chamber; a liquid outlet for Vsaid separating chamber; a so id-particle outlet at the bottom of said separating chamber; andmeans for directing streams upwardly along said inclined bottom for lubricating said inclined bottom-wall so that any particles collecting at the bottom of said separating chamber will drop through said solid-particle outlet. y.

5.y 4In a device of' the character described, the combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber, said shell having an inw clined bottom-wall; means 'for'introducing a liquid carrying solid particles, said solid partlcles dropping to the bottom of said separating chamber; a liquid outlet for said separating chamber; a solid-particle outlet at the bottom of said separating chamber: and a nozzle surrounding a portion of said solidparticle outlet, said nozzle including an annular chamber, and upwardly pointed tangential ducts connected to said annular chamber and said solid-particle outlet.

7 In a device of the character described, the combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber, said shell having an inclined bottom-wall; means for introducing a liquid carrying solid particles,`said solid'` 4o particles dropping to the bottom of said separating chamber; a liquid outlet for said separating chamber; a solid-particle outlet at the Jiottom of said separating chamber; and a lnozzle surrounding a portion of -saidsolidparticle outlet,'saidtnozzle including an annular chamber, and upwardly pointed ducts connected to saidv annular chamber and said solid-particle outlet, said ducts being positioned to deliver streams along said inclined `bottom-wall.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of; a shell providing a separating chamber, said vshell having an inclined bottom-wall; means for introducing a liquid M carrying solid particles, said solid particles dropping to the bottom of said separating chamber; a liquid outlet'for said separating y chamber; a solid-particle outlet at the bottom of said separating chamber; and a nozzle surrounding a portion of said solid-particle outlet, said nozzle including an annular chamber',-andupwardly pointed tangential ducts connected to -said annular chamber. and said solid-particle outlet, said duets'being positioned to deliver streams along said inclined a bottom-wall.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a shell forming a separatin chiamber; a spreader in lsaid separating c amber; inlet-means for introducing into said separating chamber a liquid carryingsolid particles` said liquid contacting said withl said spreader, a'luid under pressurefor cleaning said spreader; a liquid outlet for said'separating chamber; and a solidparticle outlet for said separating chamber.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shell' forming a separating chamber; a cone-spreader in s aid separating chamber; inlet means for introducing f into said separating chamber a liquid carry-l ing solid particles, said liquid contacting said spreader; a spray-ring above said conespreadei` for directing cleaning jets of fluid vagainst said cone-spreader; a liquid outlet for said separating chamber; and a solidparticle outlet for saidA separating chamber. 12. In a device ofthey character described, the combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber; `an inlet for said separating chamber; a liquid outlet; a solid-particle outlet in the vbottom of saidseparating chamber; \an indicating arm arranged for indicating `the level of solid particles in the bottom .of psaidseparating chamber; and means for normally holding said indicating arm in nonindicating position.

13. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a shell providing asepal v rating chamber; an inlet for said separating.

chamber; a liquid outlet; a solid-particle outjlet in the bottom of said separating chamber; i

an indicatingarm'pivotedinside of said shell, said indicating arm being swingable so as to contact the's'urface of a body of solid particles in the bottom of said separating chamber; means for indicating the position of said indicating arm; and means for normally holding said indicatingl arm in non-indicating position. v

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of: 'a shell`providing a separatingechamber; an inlet for said separating -cham .r; a liquid outlet; a solid-particle outlet in the bottom of said separating chamber; an indicating arm pivoted'inside said shell, said indicating arm being swingable so as'to contact the surface of a body of solid par- ,rating chamber; an inlet for said separating chamber; a liquid outlet; a solid-particle outticles in the bottom of said separating chamber; means for indicating the position of said indicating arm; and means situated outside said shell for normally holding said indicating arm in non-'indicating position.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of: a shell providing a separating chamber; an inlet for said separating chamber; a liquid outlet; a solid-particle outlet in the bottom of said separating chamber; an indicating arm pivoted inside said shell, said indicating arm being swingable so as to contact the surface of a body of solid particles 'in the `bottom of said separating chamber; means for indicating the position of said indicating arm; and a counterweight associated with said indicating arm for maintaining said arm in non-indicating position, said counterweight being located outside said shell.

16. In a device of the character described,

the combination of: a shell providing a sepalet in the bottom of said separating chamber; an indicating arm pivoted inside said shell, said indicating arm being swingable so as to Contact the surface of aI body of. solid particles in the bottom of said separatmg chamber; means for indicating the position of said indicating arm; acounterweight associated with said indicating arm for maintaining said arm in non-indicating position, said counterweight being located outside said shell; and operating meansv associated with the pivoted end of said indicating arm for moving same into operating position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my vhand at San Francisco, California, this 11th day of May, 1927.

LESTER L. CARTER. 

